National Republican., 1887-12-24
JAPANESE ToRTuREs.
Fire, Water, and Pointed Stones Used
as Instruments Of Cruelty.
Manchester Courier1

Manchester Courier.
The most extreme Of revolving cruelties
perpetrated upon the Japanese prisoners
until very recently were the various appll-
cations Of the Ere torture, but for the vic
tim come OF them had the one advantage OF
more speedily terminating his terrible suf-
ferlDgs. Tho accused, with hands and feet
secured, was suspended, head downward, In
q cage made Of green bamboo. The cage
was eontIived to slowly revolve, the culprit
being exposed to the fierce heat Of charcoal
FIRE, which was frequently replenished by
the executloDeIs.
oftentimes, happily for the wretched suf.
ftrer, the fumes OF the charcoal produced
tufrocation. Another fire torture was to
compel the prisoner TO stand upon heated
grating or grid, beneath which fire was
constantly kept burning. He was unable to
leave the small inclosure, being quite sur
rounded by strong railing. Lighted char
coal being placed IN the Interior OF metal
funnel was another description Of fire tor.
ture. The tube containing the lighted
charcoal was securely bound In the grasp
OF the prisoner, and he was forced by the at.
tendants to walk quickly about, exposing
the broad end OF the tube to the wind,
thereby accelerating the heat and lncreas.
Ing his own sufferlngs. Another agonizing
boiling oil on the body Of the victim, and II
was torture applied In so many ways that
only slckening details OF hellish devices to
intensity human suffering could picture, II
that were possible, Its extent and variety.
The stone torture was usually the first
cruelty practiced upon n prisoner. He was
forced 10 PROSTATE himself, face downward,
upon the apexes OF five triangular shaped
blocks OF hard wood, the front OF bis legs
n aynnaa6 a IN N
securely held in this position heavy stones
were placed on the Victims thighs, and
Others were slowly added to increase the
terrible weight until he became unconscious
or sigDiGed his intention to confess.
The box torture was still more atrocious
contrivance. Bound hand and foot the cul-
prit was forced into a strong box, about
at the inside and capable OF being lowered
or raised at will. Heavy weights were
placed upon 1t, and these were increased In
number, depressing the lid, the Ioor wretch
within the box being slowly crushed to
death.
In using the water torture It was be-
lleved that the torment Of thirst would In
duce prisoner to confess his guilt. After
several days. subsistence on salt diet,
shut In a room where he could see and
hear the dropping Of water on all sides, hut
out OF bis reach. The cravings and suffer
ipgs became fearful under the agony, often
approaching the bounds Of insanity.
Deprivation OF sleep was effected by
placing the criminal upon bed, or mat,
over which small steam OF water was con-
tinually flowing. Attendants were In
readiness. and at the slightest indication
Of slumber they would rouse their victim
by ringing bells, beating drums, or the ap-
plicatfon Of fire to bis body. The treatment
rendered sleep improssible; the poor
wretch's mind became disordered under the
torture, and oftentimes left him raving
mapiac.
The old style Of trial 10 Japan included
only about four persons-the judge, the
secretary, the torturer, and the accused.
The latter was taken into the examination
room securely bound, and was forced to
kneel during the investigation Of his case.
II he persisted in remaining mute or ap-
peared to eouivocate In his reply to the
questions addressed to him the ''investi.
cation whip" was used smartly-au in
strument capable Of lnncting great
punishment, made OF three long
strips of bamboo cane. Should
he continue stubborn much heavier whip
was applied, the torturer repeating the
blows until the prisoner either yielded or
tainted under the terrible infllction. But no
fatal injuries were permitted to be inflicted
during these preliminary investigations,
and the judge causing the application Of
torture to innocent persons, or to those OF
very advanced or tender years, or to preg-
nant females, was himself liable to severe
punishment.